The romantic city of Venice, Italy is such a popular destination that tourists generally outnumber visitors on any given day. Built entirely on the water, the major attractions of Venice are located in an area known as Sestieri, which consists of 118 islands in the city's main districts. Spring and fall are the more popular times to visit Venice, as the summer is hot and the canals may smell. As there are no cars in Venice, smog is never a problem. Instead of traffic jams, the city occasionally experiences 'acqua alta' episodes, where the lagoon water temporarily rises above the level of the streets and plazas. This condition generally lasts for only a few hours and raised walkways are put into place as needed.
The predominant form of transportation in Venice is one of the city's major attractions: the boats. Water taxis and vaporetti (water buses) are the best method of transportation other than walking. Other popular sights in Venice include the Basilica di San Marco and the Piazza San Marco, the Palazzo Ducale, and La Fenice Theater.
Since space in Venice is limited, hotel prices can be quite high. Hotel deals are easier to find during the low season, which is December through March, excluding holidays. Many accommodations are in renovated palaces, although due to local preservation laws, some hotels do not have elevators. |
